Jaguar Land Rover enjoys sales rise

Although overall new-car registrations fell sharply in August, Jaguar Land Rover reported a 74% rise in sales during the month compared with August 2009.

In its trading update, the car manufacturer showed a 45% year-to-date increase in sales in the UK.

The Jaguar XF luxury car emerged as the star performer. Last month, the firm sold a total of 209 XF models, compared with 126 sold in August 2009.

Geoff Cousins, Jaguar UK's managing director, said: "While August is traditionally a quieter month for car sales in the UK, we have had our busiest August for two years.

"We are certainly seeing strong evidence of consumer confidence bouncing back. Every one of the 20 £85,500 XKR 75 models available in the UK has been ordered. Our dealers sold out in just three weeks following the global debut of this model at the Goodwood Festival if Speed in July.

"The XF continues to go from strength to strength with a sales increase of 45% year to date and its 15th consecutive month-on-month improvement. So far this year the XF is outselling all models of the Audi A6 and BMW 5-series."